How to Clean a Guinea Pig Cage

Last Updated: December 17, 2022 References Approved

Guinea pigs are often prized as excellent pets. They typically have an agreeable personality and tend to have a relatively long lifespan compared to other small pets.^{[1]
X
Trustworthy Source
The Humane Society of the United States
National organization devoted to the promotion of animal welfare
Go to source} But like every pet, guinea pigs need a safe, clean, and healthy environment to thrive.

Part 1

Part 1 of 4:

Making Your Guinea Pig Comfortable

1
Restrain your guinea pig. Do this by gently placing one hand around its chest, keeping your thumb beneath the guinea pig's jaw. Use your other hand to support the guinea pig's hindquarters, holding it upright between your two hands.^{[2]
X
Research source}
- It's important to handle your guinea pig firmly enough that it won't fall, but not so firmly as to injure its body. Be aware that if your guinea pig is prone to nervousness or skittishness, it may try to squirm out of your hands and jump, which can lead to serious injury.
2
Take your guinea pig out of its cage. Once your guinea pig is properly restrained, move it into a safe, enclosed space from which it can't escape. Make sure somebody is around watching your guinea pig, and that there are no loud noises around that may scare it. Someone can hold your guinea pig if you want.

Advertisement
3
Groom your guinea pig, as necessary. Long-haired guinea pigs need to be brushed daily.^{[3]
X
Research source} If you need to groom or bathe your guinea pig, it may be easiest to do so while your pet is out of its cage.
- Unless your guinea pig has gotten sticky or smelly, it should only need to be bathed a maximum of 2-3 times per year.
4
Give your guinea pig someplace to hide. Your pet should be used to having a designated hiding place in its permanent cage. When you remove your guinea pig from its home, it may become frightened. If you can't fit its permanent hiding place into the temporary enclosed space, make a small temporary space by cutting the bottom out of a cardboard box.^{[4]
X
Trustworthy Source
American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals
Leading organization dedicated to the prevention of animal cruelty
Go to source}

Part 2

Part 2 of 4:

Cleaning Your Guinea Pig's Cage on a Daily Basis

1
Spot-clean the cage. Remove excess food and waste and spot-clean the cage as needed with a wet paper towel. Scoop out any soiled bedding and replace it with dry, fresh bedding.
2
Refill food and water. This should be done every single day. If your guinea pig spills water into the food dish, remove that food and replenish the dish with fresh, dry food.
3
Wash food and water dishes in hot, soapy water. Doing this every day will help prevent bacteria from growing in the food and water receptacles.^{[5]
X
Research source}

Part 3

Part 3 of 4:

Conducting Weekly Cleanings

1
Plan to conduct thorough cage cleanings about once every week. Though daily maintenance and spot-cleaning are necessary, you will also need to thoroughly clean out your guinea pig's cage once every week. This will ensure that your guinea pig is healthy and happy, and its environment is odor-free.
2
Remove everything from your guinea pig's cage. When you're doing a thorough cage cleaning, remove all of your pet's toys, as well as its food bowl, water bottle, and hiding place.
3
Wash the water bottle and food bowl. A guinea pig will often get pieces of bedding and/or droppings into its food bowl, so it's important to clean food and water bowls regularly.^{[6]
X
Trustworthy Source
The Humane Society of the United States
National organization devoted to the promotion of animal welfare
Go to source}
- Empty any leftover food and water. Then run some hot water and submerge the water bottle and food bowl. Leave them in the sink to dry while you clean out the cage.
- If your pet's hiding place can be washed, it's a good idea to rinse it off as well.
4
Take your cage to where you plan to clean it and get a large garbage bag. Carefully brush everything into the bag, removing all substrate material from the enclosure.^{[7]
X
Research source}
- For really big cages, it is handy to have a cat-poop scooper to scrape out the cage. Do not use the same one as your cat, dog or other pet.
5
Spray the inside of the cage down. You can use a mild detergent, or mix three-parts warm water and one-part distilled white vinegar. You can also use 1 part bleach to 32 parts water (1/2 cup bleach to 1 gallon of water).^{[8]
X
Research source}
- For deeper stains and messes, use undiluted vinegar, but make sure to clean off well afterward!
- Allow the disinfectant to sit on the surface for 10 minutes so that it has time to work, killing bacteria and other harmful elements.^{[9]
  X
  Research source}
6
Rinse the cage out. After allowing the disinfectant to sit, thoroughly rinse off every surface of the cage with hot water. Make sure there is no residue from the disinfectant on any surface.^{[10]
X
Research source}
7
Dry the cage with paper towels. If you have the time, you can let it air dry. It's important to be sure your guinea pig's cage is completely dry before laying down the newspaper and bedding, as dampness can quickly cause a mold problem that can lead to illness for your pet.^{[11]
X
Trustworthy Source
The Humane Society of the United States
National organization devoted to the promotion of animal welfare
Go to source}

Part 4

Part 4 of 4:

Setting Up Your Pet's Home

1
Line the cage with fresh and clean new newspaper, then fill with bedding. You should make the bedding about 1-3 inches deep, or 2.5-7.6 centimeters.
- You should never use cedar or pine shavings. Though these wood chips are often sold for use in cages, they actually contain chemicals which can be harmful to your guinea pig.^{[12]
  X
  Trustworthy Source
  The Humane Society of the United States
  National organization devoted to the promotion of animal welfare
  Go to source}
- Generally speaking, hay makes a good bedding choice. But damp hay can harbor fungal growth, and dry, dusty hay could cause respiratory problems.
2
Be sure the cage is completely dry before you put down newspaper and bedding. Putting down new bedding and newspaper on a damp surface can quickly lead to mold and fungus growth in the cage.
3
Put the cage back together (if you took it apart) and put the toys and things back in their places. Hide your pet's favorite treats in paper towel rolls or hang them up by a piece of string. (But make sure your piggy can reach it!)
4
Control the environment. Remember that guinea pigs need a constant temperature, and your pet's cage should not be exposed to direct sources of heat or cold. It's best to keep the room temperature from dropping below 70 degrees Fahrenheit (21.1 degrees Celsius) or getting above 90 degrees Fahrenheit (32.2 degrees Celsius).^{[13]
X
Research source}

Expert Q&A
Did you know you can get expert answers for this article? Unlock expert answers by supporting wikiHow

Question

What does "spot cleaning" mean?

Pippa Elliott, MRCVS
Veterinarian
Dr. Elliott, BVMS, MRCVS is a veterinarian with over 30 years of experience in veterinary surgery and companion animal practice. She graduated from the University of Glasgow in 1987 with a degree in veterinary medicine and surgery. She has worked at the same animal clinic in her hometown for over 20 years.

Pippa Elliott, MRCVS

Veterinarian

Expert Answer

Support wikiHow by unlocking this expert answer.

"Spot cleaning" refers to cleaning the dirty places or "spots" in the hutch or run. Thus, you'd scoop out soiled bedding contaminated with urine, droppings, or spilt water and replace it with clean dry bedding. This is important as it reduces the ammonia level in the environment, and helps to keep the guinea pigs healthy.
Question

I have a 30 x 20" guinea pig cage with upper kitchen area, would that be suitable for 1 guinea pig?

Pippa Elliott, MRCVS
Veterinarian
Dr. Elliott, BVMS, MRCVS is a veterinarian with over 30 years of experience in veterinary surgery and companion animal practice. She graduated from the University of Glasgow in 1987 with a degree in veterinary medicine and surgery. She has worked at the same animal clinic in her hometown for over 20 years.

Pippa Elliott, MRCVS

Veterinarian

Expert Answer

Support wikiHow by unlocking this expert answer.

This is a touch on the small side (depending on the size of the upper area). Typically the minimum floor space recommended is 30 x 36 inches.
Question

I can't stand the smell of vinegar. Are there any other options?

Pippa Elliott, MRCVS
Veterinarian
Dr. Elliott, BVMS, MRCVS is a veterinarian with over 30 years of experience in veterinary surgery and companion animal practice. She graduated from the University of Glasgow in 1987 with a degree in veterinary medicine and surgery. She has worked at the same animal clinic in her hometown for over 20 years.

Pippa Elliott, MRCVS

Veterinarian

Expert Answer

Support wikiHow by unlocking this expert answer.

Yes, there are plenty of pet-friendly disinfectants that you can use to clean the cage. Also, diluted bleach works well, but be sure to rinse well afterwards so the guinea pig doesn't come into contact with the bleach.

Warnings

Do not use wood chips or sawdust as they cause serious harm to your pet. Cedar bedding can cause many health problems, as can pine. Kiln-dried pine is suitable for bedding if nothing else is available.

⧼thumbs_response⧽
Helpful 73 Not Helpful 14
Always have someone supervising your guinea pigs. Guinea pigs are naturally curious and can get into a lot of trouble.

⧼thumbs_response⧽
Helpful 61 Not Helpful 12
Cleaning your pig's cage at least every week is very important in maintaining your pet's health.

⧼thumbs_response⧽
Helpful 3 Not Helpful 0
Guinea pigs need a constant temperature. Your guinea pig's cage should not be exposed to direct sources of heat or cold.

⧼thumbs_response⧽
Helpful 1 Not Helpful 0